A Taste of the Finger Lakes Featured at Mark Twain Prize for American Humor Event

Posted October 21, 2011

When the Kennedy Center of Washington, DC presents the 14th Annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor on Sunday, October 23, there will be a small, but meaningful, link to Finger Lakes Wine Country at the festivities.

Glenora Wine Cellars’ special edition Mark Twain Riesling has been chosen as the only wine to be included in the prestigious gift bags provided to this year’s award recipient, Will Ferrell, and some 60 select guests. The limited-edition wine was launched in 2010 as a joint project between Glenora Wine Cellars and the Chemung County Chamber of Commerce to honor the American humorist who drew inspiration from the region’s rolling hills while penning his best-known classics in Elmira.

“We are extremely excited, and proud, to have our limited edition, custom labeled Mark Twain Riesling included in this elite award ceremony,” said Gene Pierce, Owner and President of Glenora Wine Cellars. “This is an honor not only for us but for the Finger Lakes region as a whole. Riesling is the perfect wine to showcase, as it’s the Finger Lakes premier wine!”

Ferrell will also receive a personal invitation to visit the region to tour the Mark Twain Study and gravesite and area attractions & wineries. “We are thrilled for the chance to share Elmira’s Twain legacy at this event named to honor one of our own while also showcasing a wine from the Finger Lakes,” stated Kevin Keeley, President of the Chemung County Chamber of Commerce. Keeley added that he was “hopeful this connection between Mark Twain Country and the Mark Twain Prize for Humor will become an on-going tradition.”

According to the Kennedy Center, the Mark Twain Prize for Humor is awarded each year to a humorist who has had an impact on American society in ways similar to Twain. A cast of top entertainers will salute Will Ferrell in the Concert Hall. The evening will pay tribute to the humor and accomplishments of the television icon and motion picture star. Ferrell will join the line-up of previous award winners that includes Tina Fey, Bill Cosby, George Carlin, Billy Crystal, Neil Simon, Steve Martin and more. The event will air on PBS stations nationwide on Monday, October 31 at 9 p.m.

Ferrell starred on Saturday Night Live for seven seasons, famously depicting such beloved characters as Craig the Spartan Cheerleader, Alex Trebek, Chicago Cubs sportscaster Harry Caray, and President George W. Bush. Ferrell’s film credits include Elf, Old School, Stranger than Fiction, and Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, among many others.

Finger Lakes Wine Country is the most affordable and beautiful wine country destination in North America with four wine trails, over 100 wineries and over 400 unique things to do including shopping and dining experiences, world-class museums, and a local culture that is both warm and welcoming. For further information on this year-round destination, visit www.FingerLakesWineCountry.com, www.Facebook.com/FingerLakesWineCountry, www.Twitter.com/FLWineCountry, or call 800.813.2958. Download the free Finger Lakes Wine Country mobile travel app at www.FLWC.mobi.